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Well, it’s the end of the year and time for another wrap up and review! I can’t believe 2014 has flown by as quickly as it did – I feel like every time I blinked, a couple months passed! Crazy! Anyway, it’s been a really really really awesome year. Let me start by showing you a collage of all the crap I made~

And by collage, I mean 3 collages, because all the photos wouldn’t fit in just one. Those 75 garments (yes, ugh, borderline embarrassing?) don’t actually cover everything I made this year – I left a few things out, like multiples (such as tshirts or leggings), anything that wasn’t clothing, and obviously anything that didn’t make it to the blog (since I make all my clothes, a lot of stuff doesn’t make the cut because it just seems pretty redundant). I’d say I probably wrapped up the year with just under 100 garments under my belt. I’m not going to link to the individual stuff I made, because that would take forever – but you can lurk my closet and click on whatever strikes your fancy.

Before anyone starts asking me if my closet is the size of a house, I should point out that I actually don’t have a lot of clothes anymore. Of course, I have most everything I made this year (and anything I’ve retired has been noted in the blog), but a lot of stuff from previous years is gone – purged for various reasons, but mostly because of size and style discrepancies. My weight, while pretty stable at this point, has changed a lot over the years, and the sad fact is that a lot of the stuff I made last year just doesn’t fit anymore (and isn’t worth altering to save). On top of that, I spent a LOT of energy making things that just don’t fit my lifestyle – either they no longer do (such as office-appropriate clothing), or they never did (such as silk party dresses). And then, of course, there’s the smattering of garments that I made just to make – but haven’t actually worn because they just aren’t me. And that’s ok, I think, for the most part. I don’t want to get into a habit of making stuff I don’t wear, but sometimes you want to make something just for the experience of making it (and then find someone to gift it to :P).

Anyway, that came off like a big apology and it certainly isn’t! The ongoing trend for my 2014 closet was basic, wearable ~cake~ clothes, replacing things in my closet that needed to go (for aforementioned reasons). I love almost everything I see in these collages, and I’m excited to continue this for 2015.

Here are some of my favorite/most worn pieces of 2014. Like last year, this was REALLY hard to narrow down – I love all my makes, they are like my baaaabies! But there were definitely a few that stuck out above the rest~

The Vogue Coat
All right, technically I made this in 2013 – but it was posted and worn in 2014, so it totally counts. I wear this coat as much as the weather allows – I love it! It’s warm and snuggly without being heavy, it’s easy to squish into a suitcase, and I love the bold plaid with the gorgeous red silk lining. Total win in my book. Coming up in a close second is the Rigel Bomber Jacket!

Butterick 5526 //TopButterick 5526 //Bottom
Obviously Butterick 5526 wins the Pattern of the Year award from me – I made this shirt soo many times! These two are my favorites (couldn’t pick just one, sorry!). The plain chambray version is just lovely for summer – it’s soft and lightweight, it goes with *everything*, and I really loved making it up. The polka dotty chambray version is basically my pinnacle of shirtmaking – everything on the inside and out is a personal best for me.

Chambray Hawthorn
This isn’t a super special make by any stretch of the imagination (and, um, also my third make from chambray wtf), but I wore the shit out of it this summer. It’s comfortable in the heat, looks pulled together, and it a basic enough staple that you can accessorize it a bunch of different ways. Yay!

Vogue 1395
THIS DRESS THO. This is probably my favorite – I wore it soooo much this past year! It’s fancy enough to wear for casual-ish weddings, but it’s also lovely for a day of daydrinking in the park with friends. The print is so pretty and the silk make it feel really special. Plus, the elastic waist + tie mean I can eat a buffet’s worth of food and still feel comfortable (but look like I’m trying!).

Marlborough Bra
Didn’t see that one coming! This bra – while not 100% perfect by any means – makes me so happy whenever I wear it. I can’t wait to make more, to tweak the fit to perfection, and to start playing with fabrics and trims. Making this one bra has really opened my sewing to another level (the level of “oh yay I can keep endlessly sewing and not worry about filling my closet too full because EVERYONE NEEDS UNDERWEAR AMIRITE”), and really challenged my skills and given me something new to work toward. I’m really really excited to take s Maddie’s bra making workshop this January, to really polish up and learn from someone who’s skills and expertise I really trust (and, of course, get to hang out with Maddie! Pretty pumped about that too 😉 ).

Now let’s talk about what an awesome year 2014 was! Holy shit! I love these kinds of posts because I love looking back and reflecting on all the good stuff that happened. 2014 was a SERIOUSLY good year for me – just on the heels of a crappy 2013, and much needed. SO many things changed for me this year, and I went through a lot of firsts as well! Here’s a sum up of my year~
– I participated in Project Sewn, but I didn’t make it past the first round. That’s okay, though, because I also learned that sewing contest things are NOT for me! Too much pressure, too many deadlines, too many rules! I don’t like being told what to do, and I prefer to work at my own pace.
– I went to NY twice this year – in March, for a short weekend with Clare, and then again in August. MAN, I love that city! Don’t think I’d ever want to live there, but it’s pretty fun to visit 🙂
– On the subject of travel, I also spent nearly 2 weeks in London this year! That was the first time I’ve been out of the country in over a decade, and the first time I did it solo! AND I had to get a new passport and everything! Traveling internationally is kind of stressful and terrifying, but it’s also really fun and fulfilling. Already planning my next big adventure 🙂
– 2014 was the year I started teaching – I taught a few classes at the local community college here, Watkins, and also at WORKROOM SOCIAL in NY and at Tilly Towers in London!
– I also taught an online class at The Sewing Party, which we got to film (that was fun, especially since someone else did all the work haha). That week was also the first – and probably only, ever – time I’ve had my nails done professionally haha 🙂
– I got to visit the McCall Pattern Company offices while I was in NYC, which is something that I’ve wanted to do for a few years now. It was cool to meet the people behind such an iconic company (whether or not you like what they produce, you can’t deny that they are pretty iconic for the sewing world!) and see all the cool behind the scenes bits, as well as learn some history! Big highlight of my year 🙂
– I co-hosted an Outfit Along this summer, where we made dresses and knit cardigans! That was fun!
– I also co-hosted a sewalong for Vogue 1419, along with Meg from the McCall Pattern Company, which was intense and exhaustive and absolutely awesome. And I love my new coat! 😀
– I organized my sewing patterns, which took forever but I’m glad I did it. As of this posting, they are still organized (yeah!) and I still haven’t created a digital catalog of them. Oh well 🙂
– Sewing firsts – first bra, first socks.
– I never posted this on the blog (bc it doesn’t relate to sewing at all), but this year was the first time I had to sue someone 🙂 Haha! The result of a traffic accident (100% not my fault – the other guy ran a stop sign), I had to chase that piece of shit down for over a year and take him to court before he finally paid up. All for about $1,000 worth of damages, which was paid through his insurance – even my lawyer was surprised (most companies write off about 5x that much, but I’m telling you – that guy was a total piece of shit).
– My hair went through some interesting color choices this year – starting with brown, then bleached orangey-yellow (that was supposed to be immediately covered, but I liked it so much I kept it for a few months haha), then turquoise, then purply-blue, then just blue. I don’t know how much longer I’ll keep this color – I like it now, but that can change quickly. At any rate, my Driver’s License is due to be renewed this year so I need to figure out a good color for the photo haha 🙂 I do need to be better about posting photos in order, though, because right now the color varies wildly based on how much it’s faded in the picture – and since I don’t always post in order, my hair looks like the result of Photoshopping madness (I wish I knew enough to change my hair color that way – might save me some bad color choice drama in the future haha oh well)
– By the way, my dad is officially cancer-free! He had 12 rounds of chemo throughout the year, which was brutal for him (especially since his stubborn ass kept trying to run those ultra marathons he loves – he was just waitlisted for Barkley, which he claims is the hardest race in the world because of course it is), but they’re over! Now we are just going through lots of genetic testing to see what caused it, and if it’s a concern for us kids. The good news is that it’s not Lynch Syndrome, which it was we initially thought.

One big change that happened this year was my job situation! At last posting, I had just left my gig at Muna’s (after quitting my long time job in advertising that I worked at for 6+ years) and I was kind of floating on no employment. I haven’t written an update since because I wanted to wait until I’d worked this new job for awhile, then, it seemed unnecessary since I do mention it from time to time. But anyway, I’m working 2 solid jobs now (on top of occasional teaching and other freelance work), and I just love them both!

My main job that pays the bills is being a personal assistant. My boss isn’t anyone famous – she’s just a normal 36 year old woman who makes really good money in network marketing. I am pretty much her paid mom/girlfriend – I clean and cook for her, help her pack for trips, do her grocery shopping and laundry, help with some administrative stuff, take care of her cat, etc. It’s a really awesome job and she’s a really awesome person to work for. We both get on really well together, she takes care of me, and my job is super flexible. I’ve been doing this for about a year now (started Jan 2) and I don’t see myself quitting anytime soon 🙂 I also only work part time – but it pays better than the office job. So there’s that! Only downside is that I have to do my own taxes now (booo, but on the flip side – write offs! :D), and I can’t ride my bike to work because of distance + need for a car (gotta have a car to be a PA!). So I do miss my bike, but that’s about the only negative. Everything else is a benefit, woohoo!

My second job is as for sewing production at Elizabeth Suzann. I started this in January, working a couple hours a week. Elizabeth was initially concerned that she couldn’t afford to hire a seamstress – SO MUCH has changed in such a short time; she now has 3 of us (Nashville sewing friends, if you’re interested in part time sewing work, Elizabeth is always looking for new people to add! Email her and maybe we can be co-workers :D)! I work 3 hour work days, 2-3 days a week. Someone gives me a pile of cut fabrics and I just sew as much as I can 🙂 It’s really fun and I really enjoy it – we’ve got awesome machines at the studio (Turbo, my main industrial, is all foot controlled. You use the pedal to raise the presser foot, backtack, *and* clip your threads. It is amazing!!), and we listen to ridiculous music or watch movies while we work. My coworkers rule, Elizabeth & her husband are amazing bosses, and there are always dogs around and lots of coffee and cookies. Love my job!

So yep, that’s a good sum of my year! Lots of great new things happening, lots of positive change – I feel pretty good about it!

So what’s in store for next year? Honestly – I’m not sure! I have a few things to look forward to – Bra-Making in January, another Pants Making Intensive in March, a Weekend Sewing Retreat in September, and my best friend & I are going to Peru in June! So there are definitely some exciting things in the plans 🙂 Other than that – I dunno! One thing I know I don’t want to do is bog this blog down with a lot of deadlines and schedules and promotional things. One big mistake I made last year was to treat my blog like it was a job – which is kind of bizarre because it certainly doesn’t pay like a job! 🙂 As a result, all the deadlines and scheduling and writing posts for other people’s businesses really made maintaining this blog the opposite of fun. I don’t like that, and I don’t see why I should have to subject myself to something that isn’t really benefiting me positively (not the blogging part, obviously, but driving myself crazy trying to have an 8AM Monday posting of a book review, you know?). Pattern testing is also losing it’s luster because it’s a lot of work that you’re basically doing as an unpaid favor – which, I’m not opposed to helping my friends, but I don’t want to do it for people I don’t know because my time is very precious to me. It’s hard because I fall into these habits and I can get a little obsessive about how I do things – and that includes blogging – but I’m giving myself permission to let go and relax a little. I’m going to keep blogging – and I might even keep up with a regular schedule, if that’s how it works out – but I’m not going to let this blog govern such a large part of my life anymore. When you have to skip hanging out with your buds in order to schedule a post for a no-profit blog, that’s crossing a line for me.

With that being said, this blog has really gone through some wonderful growth over the past year. I’m continually surprised at just how many people keep up with this shit, and I love and appreciate every single one of you. The comments I get on my posts are such a treasure trove of information – if you haven’t made it a point to read through them, you should! There are always so many tips and input and a lot of times, the comments are better than the posts themselves 🙂 Thank you for all your wonderful emails & comments, and thanks for making my blog into what it is! Y’all are the best!

Anyway, I’m looking forward to a wonderful next 12 months! I want to really focus on my bra making, and I want to work on projects that require a little more time to complete (like… more coats! Yay!). I loved learning watercolor painting this year, and I want to explore more of that next year. I do want to travel more – just depends on how my budget works with that 🙂 I want to continue spending tons of time with people who are important to me, and I want to have great experiences 🙂

87 Responses to “2014: A Year In Review”

As I suspected, this is the best year review post of them all. You are wonderful, and it looks like your year has been wonderful to match. I love your blog, but I think you are quite right to stop it becoming a chore: they can be hard work, and you already have two jobs and you know, a life! Have a wonderful New Year and I’ll look forward to seeing your creations in 2015 xxx
P.S defo come to London again!

Aw, thank you! I look forward to making even more in 2015, and yes, a trip back to London is definitely in order as soon as I can save up enough for it again 🙂 Just promise me you’ll keep all sewing machine needles away from your fingers this next time 😉 hahahaha! ♥

My own personal favorites – yes, the black and white checkerboard coat! Perfect! Want one to magically materialize in my closet (haha)! And…you know, for reasons I can’t entirely articulate (though here I go trying), I really like the short-sleeved red-striped button-down. I like the horizontal stripes you hardly ever see in a button-down; I like the pockets – I like that it’s different and unique in -subtle- ways.

(Happy New Year also to The Magnificent Tortoiseshell. We love you, Amelia <3!)

Ohhh, yeah, I love that red and white striped shirt! I don’t wear it as much as I would like – the pockets are in a weird place (I didn’t notice until someone pointed it out, but now I can’t unsee it!), so I need to take them off and move them down a little. But it’s a great layering piece, and I love the stripes 🙂

Aww, what a great post! Love that you’ve had a good year and that you have lots of great plans for the next. That must all pale into insignificance knowing that your Dad is through – congratulations all round. He’ll get that crazy run done yet. All the best to you and yours for 2015 – it’s going to be wild! Rachel 🙂

Yes! Even if he doesn’t finish the race (which is likely – I think only a handful of people have EVER finished it!), just being accepted/waitlisted is a pretty big deal! I’m so happy he’s back to being the crazy active running man we all love 🙂

Thank you for all of your hard work on your blog in 2014. I loved every minute of it even if you didn’t 😉 I learn so much from you and look forward to whatever you may bring us in 2015. Happy New Year!

Happy New Year, Lauren! You are awesome. And, I feel even more connected that we have the same main job! I also came out of PR type work and am now a PA. Heh. Any rate, I really enjoyed reading your blog this year and it helped me through my non-sewing. And, truly, yay about your dad!! That is awesome news. Wishing you the best in 2015.

Ahh, I didn’t realize you’d made a similar job switch (I mean, I knew you changed jobs – but I didn’t know we were in the same industry both times)! That’s so cool. I think you’re awesome, too, and I really want 2015 to be the year we get to meet up 🙂 pleaseeeee!

Aw, what a lovely post. I’m so glad you’ve had such a great year and everything is working out for you 🙂 your makes continue to inspire me CONSTANTLY (much more than I can ever make), so thank you for that! It was so good to hang to with you in Paris, hopefully I can try and arrange a return trip over to the US sometime this year!

It was awesome hanging out with you in Paris as well! Especially in our swanky disco apartment 🙂 Come to Nashville and let’s whoop it up American style – I promise I’ll try to not have a hangover so I can be fun on day 2 🙂 haha!

Happy New Year to you – your blog posts are always inspiring and this is a great one. I love the mix of sewing stuff and the personal – don’t forget to let us know how Big Daddy Lladybird gets on with his Ultra!

What a fun wardrobe you’ve created! My goal is to do the same, but in my style of course. New to your blog, but find the info in it and the comments useful to me. (Found you through your invisible zipper tutorial, btw). HAVE A FABULOUS NEW YEAR!

I know it’s a “no profit” blog but I am so happy to have found your writing. 1) You’re inspiring me to sew more (and better); and 2) I never would have known about something like A Gathering of Stitches without you (and I’M GOING IN THE FALL). So FWIW you’ve made a difference to me, and I look forward to reading you throughout 2015.

It`s a privilege to read your blog and inspiring to see your lovely makes, but please don`t sacrifice your fun time with friends in order to do a post, just go with the flow and enjoy.
Happy New Year for 2015.

OMG Barkly. My parents are crazy ultra runners too and my dad has been a little obsessed with the idea of Barkly. We’re too far away so it’s never going to actually happen (Badwater is always lurking as an option, though!), but I’ve heard a lot about that particular race from hell. I’m so glad to hear your dad is doing better, though, that’s really amazing!!

Anyway, I love your blog, your clothes, your voice, and your uninhibited use of any word you wish. Even in the more business-blog types of posts you stay so grounded and I never once got the sense you weren’t speaking honestly and authentically. That’s really saying something! Finally, your PA job sounds amazing. I could totally do that. All I really want to do in life is to support and take care of other people, to make their own lives better. I love my current job but if that situation ever changes I’m going to keep this in the back of my mind – there’s got to be a ton of tech people around SF looking for this sort of thing!

Oh yeah, my dad has wanted to run Barkley for years. It’s pretty cool that he got waitlisted (he’s positive he’ll get in, since he’s #1 on the list right now haha), especially on his anniversary of getting awesome and healthy. So excited to see how it turns out!

And thank you! I’m so glad you enjoy my blog, and I’m really happy to hear that I still come across as honest and authentic – I always try to, but you never can be totally sure of what you’re conveying over the internet (especially since stuff like tone is really difficult to decipher via text). And, YES, being a PA is really amazing! it definitely takes a special kind of person to do this job – you have to be ok with being a little helper, and not being the big boss in charge. I love helping people and being the driving force that makes them succeed, so it’s a great gig for me. Sounds like it would be a good one for you, too, if you’re ever in the position to look for another job.

I love your posts throughout the year and reading your year in review makes me want to drag out my machine and sew up…anything! 🙂 I got a crap load of fabric for Christmas this year and I will admit that the fabric and pattern choices for that fabric were largely influenced by what I’ve read here. I’m going to try my first lady skater because of you and a huge chunk of the new fabric was natural fibers. Thank you for posting all your wonderful, amazing makes!

Enjoyed reading this so much! You made some great stuff and your Dad is better, you are happy with your work (me too, pretty much for the first time ever) and your new ideas about your blog sound wonderful. I always like to remember blogging should be fun 🙂 Happy new year!

I’ve never commented on your blog before but am an advid fan. Your sewing skills are mad and productivity is awesome! Thanks for this great (best) recap of 2014. I’ll look forward to reading new posts whenever you wish to share – no pressure.

Fuckin’ Hell! AND you were off-machine for a couple of weeks. When do you sleep?!? Seriously!
More importantly, thank you for being my go-to cheer-up blog this year. Even Christmas Day (here in Oz) was there an update from your good self, and I was “Yeah! I knew I could rely on Lladybird Lauren.” Hopefully after this year (finishing off a double degree in Engineering and Business Management…and a home reno, just to make life extra light, you see) I’ll be able to throw myself wholeheartedly into this, and put up a project every week.
Keep making such awesome stuff!
XX

Ummm… I actually sleep more than I probably should, to be honest!! HAHA! Seriously, I’m usually in bed by like 10pm… I’m such a boring person 🙂 Honestly, I just sew a LOT. If I have a spare minute, it’s spent in that sewing room! That’s how you get a lot done 😉 haha!

Happy New Year, Lauren! It wasn’t all that long ago that my sister asked me if I’d ever heard of Lladybird…. Your blog totally sparks the ol’ Internet and you’ve even (just about 😉 ( persuaded me to give sewing another go (I pretty much gave up when the McCalls Make It Tonight patterns — in the 70’s I think — went more like “Make It in 3 Years”!) I do knit, however, so I’m definitely in the “Makin’ It” ballpark. If you should ever happen to travel to Oregon (and everyone should, at least once), let me know! From Mill End in Milwaukie (how we spell it) toThe Rain Shed in Albany (notorious for amazingly fabulous outdoor fabrics) to Pendleton (ah…..) — well, at least it’d be easier to cart fabric back from Oregon!

Hi Lauren,
I’ve been reading your blog for a few years but have never commented.
As has been said so many times you are such an inspiration.
Thanks for all you do on your blog.
It’s the only sewing blog that I get in my RSS feed.
Keep up the good work!
And best wishes for your dad!
Donna from Chicago

What a year! Very glad to read about your Dad – I hope the tests come back with positive news for all the kids, because it sounds like you guys have great genes. I love reading your blog, but I tire of the promotional stuff, I can only imagine how tiresome it can be fore you. I am REALLY looking forward to seeing what you’ll make in 2015 with less pressure and just making what your mood strikes you. I’m especially excited to see more bra sewing because once you make a few of those it’s impossible not to be a little obsessed and want to everyone to make them so you can compare notes hahah. Happy New Year!

Happy New Year! Great news on your dad! and laughed about your insurance experience – I’m doing the same right now. Excellent idea to go for the fun, you are an inspiration. And you make me want a PA – like you of course. Sounds like you have gotten yourself to a wonderful spot.

Happy New Year Lauren. Love your posts. Good to hear you are going to pace yourself in 2015 – you don’t want to ‘lose the love’. Some old dude once said… ‘Life’s a marathon, not a race…’. Cheers. Kath Dee

Happy New Year! Thank you so much for your blog; you inspired me to seriously get back into sewing 2 years ago and I may or may not have borrowed some of your ideas. I’m so happy about your dad, less so about the bike. I hope everything (except the bike situation 😉 ) continues to go on as well for you.

Happy 2015! I love your blog! I started to say I had learned a lot, but it’s really your taste and personality that keep me reading. I wouldn’t have known about independent pattern companies if not for your blog, so I think someone should be paying you for this (in dollars, not just free patterns!). I’m so sad I don’t live where I can take one of your workshops. I’m in the same state, but that doesn’t mean I’m super close (Knoxville). If you offered a day or half-day weekend workshop maybe some of us could come from out of town, hint hint.

Wow lovely lady! You kicked 2014’s ass! I kept counting all those projects thinking “She’s Awesome, but totally crazy! Purging your old projects seems sensible and look how much brilliant (Favourite Brit word!) stuff you’ve created! It was so amazing to meet you this year and I’m so happy for you now you have two great jobs you love. Keep rocking it Lauren! Happy New Year, I’m saving up for Nashville!

Gah! I found your blog shortly after Christmas, and I am nothing short of obsessed!!!! I love so much about you: your talent, your style, your nose ring, your personality, YOUR HAIR, your boldness, your spirit, your job (how did you manage a PA gig??), your attitude, your spicy language, your body type, your garments (especially that bra!!!), etc….!!!
I have sewn off and on for the last few years, but have never done any garments that have to be fitted (I did go through a plushie phase). Do you have any advice for a relative beginner wanting to make her own garments? I am plus-size and have health issues that make my weight fluctuate rather drastically in a matter of weeks (went from a size 6 to a 14 in a year), so I have often dreamed of learning to sew to be able to make better-fitting garments on my own. I just don’t know where to start!!! Though I pretty much dream of making my own bra…that would be amazing! And pants that actually flatter my bottom?? No way!
Sorry for the rant. Just wanted to say you’re pretty much awesome and I really want to be you.
Congrats on all of the accomplishments of 2014, and WOW for your dad! Cancer sucks and I’m happy to hear he kicked its ass! I hope it’s not genetic, but I will stay posted to hear what’s up. If you’re interested in that kind of thing, you should check out “The Story Within” edited by Amy Boesky. SO amazing. 🙂
Happy new year!

Aw, thank you!! To answer your questions – I got my PA gig through a friend (I hesitate to say it’s all about who you know – because I know there are companies that will match up PAs with people – but for me, that’s how I got it!). And as far as getting started making your own clothes – just do it! Come to terms with the fact that you will make some wadders and you will end up with stuff that doesn’t fit. As long as you accept that it’s all part of the learning process, it’s not so bad 🙂 (or take a class, if that’s an option for you! I wish it had been an option for me, probably would have saved me a lot of learning curves haha). Get some patterns you want to wear, follow a sewalong if you need help, and don’t be afraid to try patterns that seem “hard,” because they probably aren’t so bad! Maybe start with some basics – like tshirts, flared skirts, pjs, that sort of thing – but don’t be afraid to branch out 🙂

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